Perhaps there is a plan “C” in the works. It appears increasingly likely that Republicans in Congress, could, and probably will, attempt to block any emergency funding requested by Donald Trump for a border barrier. From The New York Times:

As he prepares to make his case to the largest national audience of the year, Mr. Trump appeared to be in an increasingly precarious position, unable to sway the wider public to his cause and unwilling, at least so far, to apply the persuasion and compromise that have gotten previous presidents out of political jams.

“Anxiety over the damage being inflicted on the party is growing. Last week, in a one-on-one meeting with the president, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, reportedly warned Mr. Trump that declaring a national emergency to build his wall would almost certainly spark a rebellion within his party — and a vote to overrule him. House and Senate negotiators have been moving toward a bipartisan agreement as early as Friday to keep the government funded after Feb. 15 — with or without the president’s support.”

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), long a staunch supporter of the president said yesterday that those in the GOP who refuse to support the president on emergency wall funding would lead to “a war within the Republican Party.”

Others in the GOP fear the precedent that would be set. A Democratic president could declare a national emergency on guns or climate change. From The Times:

“The whole idea that a president — whether it’s President Trump or President Warren or President Sanders — can declare an emergency and then somehow usurp the separation of powers and get into the business of appropriating money for specific projects without Congress getting involved is a serious constitutional question.”  Sen. John Cornyn R-Texas

The Times reports Mr. Trump is not scheduled to make the emergency declaration during Tuesday night’s State of the Union address. Leading Republicans, such as Majority Leader Mitch McConnell hope he never makes it.